The Virtual Room

Can you imagine creating your own 3D Character representing yourself so that you can communicate with your peers to discuss and solve day-to-day issues facing your organization?
More and more companies’ and their employees are meeting via high-level computerized conferences, collaborating on such projects as product strategy and information-technology planning. These meetings are beginning to occur via the new virtual world, with three-dimensional graphic characters, or avatars, standing
in for actual employees, making notes, holding conversations, and solving problems. It's certainly a chance to re-invent yourself!

Companies across the globe have been rushing to establish marketing in virtual worlds such as Second Life, largely to get their brands and products in front of the hard-core techies who spend hours immersed in online role playing. But lately, executives from a range companies, including Intel and HP are making a deeper push into virtual worlds, using them for a host of other tasks, such as training, private collaboration, and outreach to analysts and customers.

The software uses light, music, and color cues to highlight documents under discussion. Missed a meeting? No problem. Attendees can save work, including notes and a chat transcript, for later use.

How much the technology will transform users' business is an open question, and in some cases security remains an issue. Company property in Second Life is now largely open to the public.

The virtual meeting room sounds like a lot of fun but I’d probably be distracted with all the bells and whistles that go along with the convenience. I’d be interested in knowing how our bosses picture themselves in the virtual world!